Farmers urged to prepare land as rain season beckons

advised farmers to plan accordingly.
The country has been receiving rains over the past few days, but the Meteorological Services Department says the rainy season has not yet started.
Senior Meteorological officer, Mr Jonathan Chifuna, yesterday said the rainfall activity has been witnessed across the country with other areas experiencing thunder and hailstorms.
“Thunderstorms associated with hail were a result of the high temperatures the country has been experiencing,” he said.
“There is a high possibility of wind gusts, hailstorms and lightning as a result of the high temperatures experienced during the past days”.
Mr Chifuna said daily temperatures had dropped drastically.
“Chiredzi recorded the highest temperature of 46 Degrees Celsius but today (Wednesday) recorded 29 Degrees Celsius,” he said.
Mr Chifuna said farmers could continue with land preparations.
He, however, urged farmers to liaise with the relevant authorities for advice on farming activities.
Zimbabwe expects normal rainfall during the 2011/12 summer cropping season.
The first half of the season which covers October, November and December is expected to have normal rains with a bias towards below normal rains.
Region 1 comprising Mashonaland provinces, Harare, North Eastern parts of Manicaland Province and Matabeleland North Province expect normal rains with a bias towards below normal rainfall.
Region 2 and 3 comprising Matabeleland South, Masvingo, the bulk of the Midlands and extreme southern parts of Matabeleland South provinces are expected to receive below normal to normal rainfall during the first half of the rainfall season.
The Met department, however, does not have rains onset and cessation dates as these are expected to vary spatially.